Digital resources tagged with ‘discovery’

A Passionate Collector

Through his passion for collecting, New Zealander Rex Nan Kivell invented a new aristocratic identity.

Batavia Shipwreck Ruins

Stone ruins on Western Australia’s remote West Wallabi Island are the oldest structures built by Europeans in Australia and tell a tale of mutiny and murder.

Captain Cook - Great Southern Continent

In his first great voyage of discovery, James Cook is chosen to find and explore the 'Great Southern Land'.

Captain Cook - In Search of the North West Passage

Cook’s obsession with discovery continues as he searches for the mythic North West Passage, but is it a journey too far? Now retired and promoted to Post Captain, James Cook is bored. He jumps at the chance to take on a third great voyage: to find a fast route to China to secure Britain’s place in the lucrative tea trade.

Captain Cook - The Death of Cook

James Cook’s temperament has become unstable during the long and unsuccessful hunt for the North West passage. He picks a fight with the Hawaiians after a series of thefts by them from the ships and dies on the beach after a fierce battle.

Captain Cook - The Polynesian Tupaia Joins the Endeavour Voyage

Cook takes on board an additional passenger, Polynesian priest and fellow navigator Tupaia. Tupaia shares his remarkable navigational skills, convinced that the notion of a great land mass is a European fantasy.

Captain Cook in Hawaii

The story of Captain James Cook’s ill-fated final voyage to the Pacific is one of tragic cultural misunderstanding.

Captain Cook’s Tragic Death

Captain James Cook’s untimely return to Hawaii ended with his violent death, the details of which are portrayed in numerous conflicting illustrations.

Charles Darwin - the father of evolutionary biology

Dr Maryanne Demasi is a science journalist on the ABC science program Catalyst. In this clip she introduces us to the ‘scientific giant’, Charles Darwin.

Charles Darwin and living on Beagle

Dr Nigel Erskine comments on how the model of the Beagle and the reproduction of Darwin’s cabin, both part of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s exhibition Charles Darwin — voyages and ideas that shook the world help us empathise with Darwin's experience on his epic voyage.

Charles Darwin thinks about geology in Australia

Professor Iain McCalman returns to a spot where Darwin observed the geological formation of the Blue Mountains, and speculated on what it told us about the origins of life.

Charles Darwin's crab collection

Dr Sammy De Grave comments on the importance of Charles Darwin's collection of crabs which were brought to Australia to be part of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s exhibition Charles Darwin — voyages and ideas that shook the world.

Designing the Charles Darwin- voyages and ideas that shook the world exhibition

Museums have designers to create the physical atmosphere of exhibitions. Here a designer comments on how the model of the Beagle and the reproduction of Darwin’s cabin as part of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s special exhibition Charles Darwin — voyages and ideas that shook the world help us empathise with his experience.

First Fleet Sketches

First Fleet captain John Hunter’s sketchbook showing life in Botany Bay was copied from the work of his talented young midshipman, George Raper.

Mawson's Other Purpose

This clip explains the breadth and scope of Mawson’s expedition. It also explains the reasoning behind such an ambitious plan.

Mawson's Quest

This clip explains the outline of Mawson’s quest and Jarvis’ emulation of it.

South Sea Islander in London

Omai, a young Tahitian warrior who joined Captain James Cook’s second voyage, had his portrait painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds and inspired a spectacular pantomime at Covent Garden.

The logistics behind the Charles Darwin - voyages and ideas that shook the world exhibition

A museum administrator comments on the hidden features that were part of mounting the Australian National Maritime Museum’s exhibition Charles Darwin — voyages and ideas that shook the world.